Amtrak Resumes Service In Oakland After Collision That Injured 17

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Amtrak trains were running through Oakland’s Jack London Square Station again this morning after a low-speed collision Wednesday night injured 17 passengers and disrupted service.

The collision occurred at about 10 p.m. when a San Joaquin train coming from Bakersfield hit a stationary Coast Starlight long-distance train bound for Seattle while pulling into the station, Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham said.

At the time of the accident, many of the 134 passengers on the Coast Starlight train were taking a scheduled break from their trip, stepping onto the platform to stretch their legs or smoke cigarettes, Graham said.

The San Joaquin train had 12 passengers on board.

Seventeen people on the Coast Starlight train were injured, and seven were taken to hospitals. Oakland fire officials said the most serious injury was a broken arm.

Graham said Amtrak was able to re-rail the damaged trains, and passengers on the Coast Starlight train re-boarded the train and left the station by 1 a.m.

Amtrak set up bus service between the Jack London station and the Emeryville station for two early-morning trains today, and service was restored by 6:30 a.m., according to Graham.

Graham said the incident is under investigation by Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration.